Racing Rules clarification. On Sunday Sharqi – on Starboard – was overtaking Cirrus – on Port – and it resulted in a collision between Sharqi and Cirrus. The collision is pictured above. After going over with the sailors what happened, a couple of findings emerged. The sailors were unclear of whether Port / Starboard still mattered in an overtaking situation. It does. In racing, Port / Starboard (Rule 10) take precedence over overtaking (Rule 12). This is absolutely different than the international regulations for preventing collisions at sea (COLREGS) that we teach in 101, 103 and 104. The sailing rules state that if a racing boat meets a non-racing boat, even while racing then COLREGS apply, not the racing rules. But both of these boats are racing, so in this picture Cirrus is violating Rule 10.
But . . .
Sharqi did not take action to avoid the collision violating Rule 14. The KeelBoat Club does not follow exoneration under Rule 43.1(c). If a sailor can avoid a collision avoid it. From testimony and the picture it would of been fairly easy for them to head up behind Cirrus and not hit them. Sharqi wouldn’t of had to jibe, just head up a few degrees and mind the mainsail on Cirrus’s backstay. It also would have been the faster move, as it would have allowed Sharqi to continue in her intended direction with speed instead of coming to a stop by hitting Cirrus. Sometimes in racing, not enforcing your rights is the fastest way around the race course.
There was no damage to the boats or the humans that were on them, so either or both boats could have expunged themselves by doing a penalty turn, but neither did, so both are disqualified from the race.
I’m attaching the relevant rules below.
The rest of the pictures from the race: https://photos.app.goo.gl/A5eEProXzrFHv4gt7
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